Nawaz Sharif says India copied Pak reforms in 90s

Was India's Economic Reforms in the nineties influenced by Pakistan? According to Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif India's reforms were influenced by his own government's initiatives in Pakistan.

Speaking at a dinner programme in Dubai last night Sharif said India's reforms that were initiated in the nineties by the Narasmha Rao government were influenced by industrial reforms initiated by his own government in Pakistan.

Nawaz Sharif was first elected prime Minster of Pakistan in October 1990 and initiated an ambitious economic programme, privatizing several state owned businesses.

In June 1991 Narasimha Rao became India's Prime Minister and appointed Manmohan Singh as the Finance Minister. Soon the rupee was devalued and Rao, who also held the portfolio of Industries Minister abolished industrial licensing and other socialist measures which India had adopted until then.

"If not for corrupt governments that followed later, Pakistan would have been in the path of economic growth by now,"said Sharif who criticised the leadership of both the Pakistan People's Party, currently headed by Asif Ali Zardari and former Military ruler Pervez Musharraf. He also blamed the two for the increase in conflict and militancy in Pakistan.

Calling upon Pakistani nationals living abroad to come forward and help change Pakistan and contribute towards its economic development, Sharif said, returning him to power would be the only way for Pakistan to once again move forward towards economic progress and social stability.

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